The analysis of urban shape and evolution is the way for the understanding the city and forces an
evaluation of the method and the analysis tools, focusing on each situation, avoiding generalized
approaches. Each urban space can be explained by its use and social practices. We demonstrate the use
of complementary tools for the study of urban shape and evolution, as a result of the influence of a
determined industry, specifically canning, in spatial design. To morphologically decode the urban space,
we resort to comparisons and correlations between 6 case studies - Setúbal, Matosinhos, Peniche,
Espinho, Lagos and Portimão. These clusters are analyzed by using primary sources and statistical
analysis. From this context it is possible to systematize the problem and find the influence that any
economic activity can exercise over a specific territory.